CRN - Wilmington, NC

About the role

This Clinical Research Nurse role focuses on delivering high-quality clinical care within outpatient clinical research trials. You will perform a wide range of protocol-driven procedures, support safe administration of investigational products, contribute to patient recruitment and retention, and ensure accurate documentation and regulatory compliance. The position offers the opportunity to deepen your expertise in clinical research and grow into advanced roles within a large research network.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical and clinical procedures required by study protocols, including venipuncture, specimen processing, vital signs assessment, electrocardiograms, IV infusions, IV pump operation, Holter monitoring, pulmonary function testing, allergy testing, urine and serum pregnancy testing, strep throat screening, and intramuscular or subcutaneous injections.
• Carry out any additional protocol-required procedures as ordered by the investigator while adhering strictly to study guidelines and safety standards.
• Attend investigator meetings, site initiation visits, and coordinator meetings to obtain training on drug preparation and administration and to build thorough knowledge of each protocol, with a strong focus on clinical procedures.
• Develop and maintain detailed knowledge of study drugs, particularly those administered via injection or intravenous infusion, including indications, administration techniques, and potential adverse effects.
• Monitor participants for possible complications related to study drug administration, with emphasis on injections and intravenous infusions, and respond promptly and appropriately to any clinical concerns.
• Document laboratory data, adverse reactions, and other clinically relevant events in a timely and precise manner, and immediately notify investigators, sponsors, and the Institutional Review Board, when indicated, of any unexpected or serious events.
• Aid other staff members based on the needs and priorities of the research organization, providing support as time and abilities permit to ensure smooth study operations.
• Actively recruit suitable patient participants for clinical trials and effectively present the benefits of participation, using dedicated weekly time for recruitment efforts.
• Complete training on the Clinical Trial Management System and maintain proficiency to update databases, process participant reimbursements, capture referral sources, and create call lists to promote recruitment.
• Communicate the status of referred patients, overall recruitment progress, and clinical needs of each study to investigators and the Site Manager to support informed decision-making and timely enrollment.
• Proactively promote the site to monitors and in-house contacts for future trials by responding to queries promptly, ensuring timely and accurate data entry, and collaborating effectively with monitors during on-site visits.
• Prepare study documentation in advance of potential sponsor or regulatory audits and assist auditors throughout the audit process by providing clear, organized, and complete information.
• Order clinical supplies and manage the ordering, storage, and monitoring of protocol-specific rescue drugs, while maintaining scheduled assessments of the code/crash cart and AED and ensuring proper documentation for both.
• Maintain certification for packaging and shipping specimens on dry ice and stay current with laboratory procedures to assist with workflow and ensure compliant specimen handling.
• Serve as the OSHA Representative for the site, including maintaining employee immunization records, obtaining vaccines when necessary, and administering vaccines to staff in accordance with safety guidelines.
• Support training and ongoing development of clinical skills for site staff, sharing expertise and helping team members build competence in research-related procedures.
• Travel to other sites within the network as needed to support increases in workload, specific studies, or special projects, ensuring consistent clinical quality and protocol adherence across locations.

Essential Skills

• Active registered nurse (RN) license in North Carolina.
• Minimum of 1 year of prior Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC), Clinical Research Nurse (CRN), or clinical research experience is ideal.
• If no prior research experience, at least 2 years of bedside nursing experience in a clinical setting.
• Experience with IV insertion and IV infusions, with strong skills in intravenous therapy considered a significant advantage.
• Proficiency in phlebotomy and venipuncture for specimen collection.
• Ability to perform and interpret basic clinical procedures, including vital signs, electrocardiograms, pulmonary function testing, allergy testing, and injection administration.
• Experience with chart review and pre-screening patients to assess eligibility for clinical trials.
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and clinical research processes.
• Familiarity with electronic data capture (EDC) systems and electronic medical records (EMR).
• Strong documentation skills with meticulous attention to detail for recording laboratory data, adverse events, and dispensing information.
• Effective communication skills to interact with investigators, site leadership, monitors, sponsors, and participants.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities within a fast-paced research environment while maintaining accuracy and compliance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Prior experience in a Clinical Research Coordinator or Clinical Research Nurse role within outpatient or hospital-based research settings.
• Experience working on clinical research trials, including patient recruitment and retention activities.
• Comfort with patient-facing recruitment efforts and the ability to clearly explain clinical trial participation.
• Experience using Clinical Trial Management Systems for database updates, reimbursement processing, and recruitment tracking.
• Familiarity with packaging and shipping specimens on dry ice and related certification for compliant specimen handling.
• Knowledge of OSHA requirements and experience managing immunization records and staff vaccinations.
• Experience with equipment calibration and maintaining calibration records in a clinical or research environment.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prepare and maintain documentation for sponsor and regulatory audits.
• Interest in professional growth, with openness to advancement into roles such as sr. coordinator, team lead, or project management within a research network.
• Ability and willingness to travel to other sites within the network when needed to support studies and workload demands.

Work Environment

This is a full-time, on-site role based in Wilmington, NC, working five days per week, Monday through Friday, for a total of 40 hours. The position is situated in a clinical research setting that supports outpatient clinical trials for a major healthcare provider, with access to standard clinical equipment including IV pumps, Holter monitors, pulmonary function testing devices, crash carts, AEDs, and temperature-controlled storage units for investigational products and specimens. Work involves frequent direct patient interaction, performance of hands-on clinical procedures, and collaboration with investigators, coordinators, monitors, and sponsors. The environment emphasizes regulatory compliance, Good Clinical Practice, safety, and teamwork, offering opportunities for professional development and advancement within a broader clinical research network.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Wilmington, NC.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $50.00/hr.

Requirements

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.